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Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Week 4 New York Jets Team Grades

bleacherreport.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

September 29th, 2013

Week 4 New York Jets Team Grades

The New York Jets suffered a tough loss
in Tennessee against the Titans on Sunday, and with the loss fall to
(2-2) on the season. It wasn’t a very pretty game for Gang Green
especially on the offensive side of the ball, and their poor
protection of the ball was well indicated on the scoreboard.

Passing Offense Grade: (D)

The passing offense was rough to watch
in this game, as rookie Quarterback Geno Smith looked very much like
a rookie against the Titans defense. The main problem for Smith in
the loss was the turnovers, as he had two interceptions and two
fumbles, which really put the Jets defense in a tough spots. Smith
finished throwing for 289 yards on 23 for 34 passing with one
touchdown. The only bright spot for the Jets passing offense was the
production for the Tight End position, as Kellen Winslow caught six
passes for 73 yards, and Jeff Cumberland caught the 34-yard touchdown
pass from Smith in the fourth quarter.

Rushing Offense Grade (C+)

The Jets ground game was pretty good
especially in the first half, as starting Running Back Bilal Powell
averaged 5.7 yards per carry in the first 30 minutes. Powell finished
with a good day on the ground, running for 66 yards on 14 carries,
which is a solid 4.7 yards per carry. Fullback Tommy Bohanon in
limited caries also ran it pretty good, as he had 17 yards on four
carries. Noticeably Smith didn’t get out of the pocket as much as
he has been in the previous three games, as he only had seven yards
on three carries, and one of his fumbles came on a scramble.

Passing Defense Grade (D)

Being put in tough positions with all
the turnovers from the offense the Jets passing defense really seemed
to struggle against a team that isn’t known for lighting it up
through the air. Jake Locker got the start for the Titans, but was
forced to leave the game with an hip injury after a hit by Mo
Wilkerson and Quinton Coples. Locker left his mark on the game before
leaving, as he was playing great by going 18 for 24 with 149 yards
passing and three touchdown passes. Ryan Fitzpatrick came in off the
bench, and with a big lead didn’t have to do much, but he did
connect on a 77-yard touchdown pass to Nate Washington, which was
Washington's second touchdown of the game.

Rushing Defense Grade (A)

Easily the best part of the game on
Sunday in the loss for the Jets was its rushing defense, which yet
again was very good stopping a team that likes to run the football.
Chris Johnson was absolutely taking out of the game for the Titans,
as he ran the ball 15 times for just 21 yards. His backup Jackie
Battle did a little bit better rushing it 11 times for 42 yards. The
Jets held the Titans to just 2.5 yards per carry as a team, which is
very impressive.

Special Teams Grade (C)

The battle of special teams went
slightly in the favor of the Titans in this one, as on a punt return
Darius Reynard had a 35-yard return, which was the biggest special
teams play of the game. Nick Folk continued his great season by going
two for two on his field goal attempt, which included a 47-yard kick,
and Folk also didn’t allow the Titans to have any kick returns.

Coaching Grade (D)

Once again the coaching wasn’t very
good in this game, and this time that resulted in the bad loss on
Sunday. The discipline was again again awful for the Jets, as they
committed 10 penalties for 66 yards. The worst job on Sunday has to
go on Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who with a rookie
Quarterback on the road, had Smith throwing the ball way to much
despite the running game working well. Mornhinweg has to realize that
if Smith is struggling he needs to call more runs to help Smith get
through some growing pains all rookie Quarterbacks go through.

Next up for the Jets will be a trip to
Atlanta to play the (1-3) Falcons in the Georgia Dome on Monday Night
Football, in what is a must win for the Falcons after losing two
straight games to the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.